Obi, Kwankwaso exit painful but not devastating — ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as a setback, but not one capable of derailing its 2027 electoral ambitions.

Speaking on Arise News Prime Time programme on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, acknowledged the impact of their departure but maintained that the ADC’s core objectives remain intact.

Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and Kwankwaso, who contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, had briefly aligned with the ADC in a bid to form a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, both politicians have since moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress as part of their political repositioning.

Abdullahi admitted the development was disappointing but stressed it would not cripple the party. He noted that while their combined votes in the 2023 election were significant, past performance does not automatically translate into future electoral success.

He also expressed personal dissatisfaction over their exit but suggested it has, in some ways, relieved internal pressures within the party.

“While their departure is a setback, it is not a fatal blow. It also allows us to focus on our plans without undue pressure,” he said, adding that the ADC remains committed to strengthening its structure ahead of 2027.

The party spokesman further dismissed any notion of hostility, stating that the ADC does not view Obi and Kwankwaso as political adversaries and has no intention of engaging them in conflict.

Meanwhile, Obi explained that his decision to leave the ADC was driven by persistent internal crises and what he described as litigation-heavy politics. He said his move was based on careful reflection and a desire to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s progress.

Drawing parallels with his earlier exit from the Labour Party, Obi said both decisions were informed by similar concerns, including what he called orchestrated legal disputes aimed at excluding him from the political process.

He warned against the use of democratic institutions as tools of suppression, stressing that weakening opposition parties ultimately harms the people and undermines democratic balance.